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Satoko: |
It's been a while since I've breathed Sapporo's air. It's really clean, right? |
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Ryuta: |
Right. As expected, Hokkaido is good. |
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Satoko: |
But, it's 10 o'clock. There are no more trains for Wakkanai. What should we do? |
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Ryuta: |
Good. The truth is, before we go I have a place I want to show you. Do you trust me? |
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Satoko: |
Well... |
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Ryuta: |
Let's go! |
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Ryuta: |
Okay, we've arrived. Let's get out. |
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Satoko: |
The stars are beautiful! |
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Ryuta: |
What day is it today? |
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Satoko: |
Ah! It's Tanabata! |
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Ryuta: |
Right. |
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Satoko: |
Ah! You can see the Milky Way! The story brings back memories. Do you remember it? |
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Ryuta: |
A long long time ago, next to the Milky Way, there lived the god of the heavens. The god of the heavens had one daughter. Her name was... |
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Satoko: |
Orihime. Orihime used the loom, and did the work of making the kimonos for the gods. Before long, Orihime became of marrying age, and the god of the heavens thought that he should get her a husband. He searched a lot, and what he found was a boy called Hikoboshi keeping heaven's cows at the shores of the Milky Way. |
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Ryuta: |
Impressed! Hikoboshi was a fine young man. Orihime was also a very fine daughter. It was love at first sight for the two of them. |
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Satoko: |
The two married, and it came to be that they spent their happy life together. But having too good of a relationship is also a problem, and the two forgot their work and they began to do nothing but play. |
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Both: |
As Orihime hasn't been weaving, everyone's kimonos are becoming old and worn. Please make new kimonos quickly! |
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Both: |
As Hikoboshi hasn't taken care of them, the cows are becoming sick! |
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Ryuta: |
It came to be that everyone came and complained to the god of the heavens. The god of the heavens became really angry, |
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Ryuta: |
You two should live separated east and west of the Milky Way! he said, and separated Orihime and Hikoboshi. |
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Satoko: |
But the god of the heavens saw that Orihime was really sad, and said this: |
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Ryuta: |
Just once a year, only on the night of the 7th day of the 7th month is it alright for you to meet Hikoboshi. |
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Satoko: |
From then on, looking forward only to the one day of the year when they could meet, Orihime worked hard at the loom every day. |
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Ryuta: |
Also, Hikoboshi, on the other side of the Milky Way, put his back into the work of caring for the cows. Then, on the evening of the 7th day of the 7th month that they were waiting for, Orihime crosses the Milky Way and goes to Hikoboshi's place to meet. |
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Satoko: |
But, because when it rains the Milky Way's water-level rises, Orihime can't cross the river. On such occasions, a magpie flies out of nowhere, and places a bridge over the Milky Way for her. |
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Ryuta: |
You should also look up to the night sky and bless their reunion. The end. |
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Satoko: |
Ryuta, that's wonderful. |
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Ryuta: |
Satoko, you're also quite the Tanabata expert. |